5th April 2014- South Downs Way 50

After a night sleeping in the car I registered and waited for the race to start at 9am. It was a pleasant day and was nice running in the sun. Some chatting and nice running I was soon at about half way at Black Cap. The legs seemed okay, but the aches came at about 30 miles, so the aid station at Southease was a welcome sight. The check points we're brilliantly stocked with sweet and savoury food and also fruit and refreshing coke.

Closer to forty miles, it was getting harder but coming into Alfriston the end felt a lot closer. After a quick stop at the aid station it didn't seem to take too long to get to the next aid station at Jevington. From here it was one small hill and four miles and it didn't take long to get to the trig above Eastbourne and then it was a plod down hill and then through streets to the finish at the sports centre, where the end was after a gruelling 400 metres on the athletics track. I had finished the race tired and happy as I had bettered my expectations and finished in 9 hours 2 mins and 23 seconds. I had just missed the rain which started a few minutes after finishing. 

22-24th March 2014- Costa Blanca

Saturday. I arrived at Alicante airport and after getting my bag, joined the long queue for the car hire. I then got supllies of food, water and gas and then drove to Finestrat. I had a quick meal of rabbit stew and then parked at the car park at Font Moli and got my things ready. By the time I got walking it was 5pm. I headed off along the path marked with yellow and white paint markers, going uphill along the western face of Puig Campana.

Puig Campana from Finestrat

It was a hot evening and sunny as it usually is on the Costa Blanca. Going steadilly uphill, there are good views from the path to Aitana and the valleys below. After passing several people coming off the hill and about an hour of walking I came to Refugio Vera Catral. The refugio was empty apart from lots of spiders. I managed to get some sleep after a small supper and a bit of reading.

Refugio Vera Catral

Sunday. I woke and waited for it to lighten up before packing up and heading out. I carried on up the trail to Collada de Pouet, where I said "hola" to a runner before heading off in the direction of Collada del Llam. I passed over Paso de los Bandoleros which has great views of Puig Campana behind and Sanchet up ahead.

Sanchet

It was warming up and was turning into another "Scorchio" day. After Collada del Llam, I took the path heading west and after coming out of a small wooded area, I scrambled up the side of Sanchet until coming to the ridge on its western side. I carried on up the ridge up to the summit of Sanchet. There is a rocky ridge with some exposed sections, but there is the option of a safer lower route.

Sierra Bernia from Sanchet

From the summit, there are great views of miles of coastline, Puig Campana, Ponoch, the Sierra Aitana and further to the north the imposing ridge of the Sierra Bernia. I descended from the top the way I came but taking the easier route this time (rather than the ridge). I then met back with the path to Collada del Llam, taking a small shortcut to Pasos de los Bandoleros to avoid a large crowd of local walkers and a group of mountain bikers.

Puig Campana from Ponoch

From Pasos de los Bandoleros I then walked upto Ponoch and enjoyed the summit to myself for a few minutes until I was joined by another group of local walkers. After writing in a little logbook on the top I headed down and back to Collada de Pouet where I stopped for lunch.

Aitana from Puig Campana

After filling my stomach I then started the long ascent up Puig Campana (1408m), following the painted markers to the col at the top and then followed the path the short ascent to the top of the mountain. Where it was almost as crowded as Levante beach in summer in Benidorm. For this reason I didn't stay long to enjoy the view, just enough time to apply sun cream and eat something.

Panaroma from Puig Campana

I then followed the path back down to Collada Pouet and went back to the Refugio Vera Catral. It was only 4pm and instead of staying another night in the refugio as planned, I headed off down the path back to the car in Finestrat. Where I drove for about an hour to the other side of Aitana and parked at the car park at Font de Partagas at 1000m above the small town of Benifato. I then slept the night in the Fiat 500, and it was cold (about 2degrees) and a bit cramped. I was also woken by  the police at midnight who just asked if I was okay before they headed back down into the valley.

Blossom on the trees at Font Partagas

Monday, I eyed a day walk to the Summit of Aitana. I headed up s broad track to Collado de Tagarina and it was turnoing to another hot day so I applied sun cream before heading east up Pena Mulero at 1305m and then carried on along the ridge towards Pena Roc. 

View to Pena Alta from Pena Mulero

There was a vague path along the ridge, but it was a bit more scrambly onto the top of Pena Roc, which has great views and big drops to the east and southern sides.

Pena Roc

After some food I retraced my steps along the ridge back over Pena Mulero to Collado de Tagarina. Where I carried on west climbing up to Pena Alta at 1502m. The views we're amazing and I carried on to Pas de la Rabosa and then up the other side to the highest I could get on Aitana as the actual summit at 1558m is occupied by a military complex.

Panaroma from Pena Alta

I then followed the path down to Font de Forata and then walked along a track back to Font Partagas, enjoying the sight of the steep rocky sides of the Aitana range.

Path back to Font Partagas

28-30th March 2014- Bouldering Albaraccin

Albarracin

We arrived in Albaraccin on Thursday afternoon. The four of us checked into our little bungalow and then headed off for a walk round the stunning little town of Albaraccin before dinner, drinks and bed. On Friday, me and Hayley headed off in search of boulders. We followed the wrong path initially and then after some wasted time started walking up the road from the town and we’re eventually picked up by some locals who took us upto the boulders. The first rock of the year felt great and the sandstone was beautiful with awesome grip. In the largest area Arrastradero, we started off with some easier problems to get warmed up. We started with 4’s then quite a few 5’s and then peaking with a 6A called Besabiceps. After a few more problems we called it a day after a good session, saving some in the tank for the next day.

Me on La Rodilla de Luxor (6A)

On The Saturday it was an early start and after the 40minute walk up the road to the bouldering area, we found the area Cabrerizo. It was a cooler day and the rock seemed cold but after a few problems and a coffee we had warmed up. After a few 5’s and 5+’s and coffee breaks we moved on and did a 6A called La Rodilla de Luxor and when the parents arrived we worked on a 6B with the beautiful name of CAB-B5-L1 which Hayley after a few attempts showed me the way up before I completed it after several attempts. The elbows we’re starting to ache, so we decided to taper down with some easier problems but after another 5 we decided to call it a day. Which meant we got back to the parents at about lunch time so all afternoon to get back to their place.

H on CAB-B5-L1  (6B)